James Thomas Tatum

James Thomas Tatum passed away on January 8th, 2025, at the age of 85. Born on March 4, 1939, in Coushatta, Louisiana, to Jeff Tatum and Mary Fannie Jane Smith Tatum.

James served in the military in the Army as a mechanic assigned to the Engineer Corp in Arkansas.

James served many positions at Unocal Refinery in Nederland where he worked 33 years before retiring.

James is survived by his daughter, Jeannie Sasser and her husband Robert; daughter-in-law, Jerri Tatum, all residing in Silsbee; and his brother, Pate Tatum and his wife, Judy, of Nederland. His legacy continues through his grandchildren, Jolynn Warner, Jacob Hollier, Ethan Sasser, Laci Tatum, Tyler Tatum, Cody Banks, Sara Broussard, Jeremy Hebert, Caleb Fountain, and Aspen Lowe; along with his seventeen great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Fannie and Jeff Tatum; his brother, Milton Ray Tatum; and his sister, Lajuana Tatum. He is also preceded by his beloved wife, Rae Tatum; and his first wife and the mother of his children, Barbara Tatum; his daughter, Joannie Tatum Denning; and his son, Jimmy Tatum.

A graveside service will be held in his honor at 3:00pm, Thursday, February 13, 2025, at Oak Bluff Cemetery, 618 Block Street, Port Neches, under the direction of Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee.

James’ warmth and love will be deeply missed, but his spirit and the memories he created will forever remain in the hearts of his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Kevin Swackhammer Go Fund Me account.